Tremolo device

Abstract: A tremolo device for a stringed instrument, comprises a base (20) with a number of string receiving members (51) mounted thereon and a block (30) in which the ends of the strings (50) are engaged. The strings (50) pass through holes (31) in the base (20) and the block, and the holes (31) are shaped so that the strings (50) do not contact any part of the tremolo device other than the string receiving members (51) and string engaging regions of the block. Preferably the holes (31) are shaped such that at least one wall (312) extends substantially parallel to the string (50). Preferably, the string receiving members (51) are formed as grooved rollers, to reduce friction on the string.

Description: The present invention relates to a tremolo device for use in stringed instruments. A tremolo device comprises a base which is provided with a number of pedestals for adjusting an array of strings and is adapted to be pivotable about its front edge such that the base approaches and retreats from a surface of a stringed instrument, a block which extends at right angles to the base and engages the ends of strings, and a handle arm for pivoting the base. A tremolo device as described above is disclosed, for example, in the Utility Model Publication Gazette SHO. 63-36375, and a similar prior art tremolo device is shown in US 2741146 (Fender). The prior art tremolo device, as shown in Fig. 3, is constructed so that as many string inserting holes 2 as there are strings are formed through the block, a string 3 is inserted into each string inserting hole 2, fasteners 4 are provided at the ends of the strings to retain the ends of the strings 3 in the lower ends of string inserting holes 2, and strings 3 are engaged with the pedestals 6 arranged on the base 5 and tensioned by string reeling tools at the head of the stringed instrument (not shown). In the prior art tremolo device as described above, string inserting holes 2 provided in the block 1 are formed to be orthogonal to the base; therefore, if the through hole 2' which communicates with the string inserting hole 2 has the same diameter as that of the string inserting hole 2 (as shown in Fig. 3), the string is forcibly depressed to the edge of the hole as shown in Fig. 3 and, if the through hole has a larger diameter (not shown) than the string inserting hole, the string is forcibly depressed to the edge of the string inserting hole 2. When the string 3 is depressed onto the hole edge, the string 3 is forcibly bent at this point as shown in Fig. 3, and an evidence of bend 3' will remain at the position of depression. In the case of the prior art tremolo device, therefore, there is a problem that, if the base 5 is pivoted upwards during tremolo playing of the stringed instrument, the evidence of bend 3' of the string 3 increases frictional resistance between the string 3 and the hole edge, the string 3 may snap due to excessive friction and the evidence of bend 3' hinders sliding of the string 3 around the hole edge by its frictional force, and therefore the base 5 is prevented from returning to the home position, which disturbs tuning. In addition, there is a problem that, since a portion of the string 3 which is made to forcibly contact the hole edge (ie. the portion with the evidence of bend 3') forms a pivot, the length of string 3 extended between the string receiving surface of the pedestal 6 and the string fastener 4 of the string 3 is oscillationally reduced by the pivot and therefore a sustaining tone is shortened. US 4643070 (Petrillo) discloses a tremolo device comprising a movable base provided with a string guide member for receiving a string, and an anchorage for anchoring the string, in which the string extends in a straight line between the string guide member and the anchorage, the anchorage being provided in a member attached to the base. This tremolo device reduces the friction on the strings. However, the way in which friction is reduced cannot be used on Fender-type tremolo devices as discussed above. The invention is characterised over the prior art in that the string extends from the string guide member through openings in the base and the member to the anchorage. This allows the friction on the strings in a Fender-type tremolo device to be reduced. The invention also extends to a stringed instrument having a tremolo device as defined herein. In a preferred tremolo device, the through holes which pass through the base and the string inserting holes of the block which communicate with the through holes respectively form continuous slope surfaces which are substantially parallel to the strings extending between the string engaging regions of the string inserting holes engaged with the string receiving members provided at the string ends, and the string receiving members provided on the pedestals for adjusting the strings. The walls of the string inserting hole and the through hole near the string receiving surface are sloped to expand from the string fastener between the string engaging region and the string receiving surface of the pedestal. In the present invention, it is preferable to form the string receiving surface on the external surface of a roller and thus a frictional force applied to the string at the string receiving surface can be further reduced. At least in a preferred embodiment the string does not contact any other part of the tremolo device. The string extends directly between the remote end of the musical instrument, where e.g. turning pegs are provided, and the string guide/receiving members, and then directly from those members to their respective anchorages. The invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the tremolo device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a vertical sectional view showing the main part; and Fig. 3 shows a vertical sectional view showing the main part of a prior art tremolo device. The tremolo device comprises a base 20 on which a required number of pedestals 10 are arranged and a block 30 for engaging ends of strings of a stringed instrument, the block being orthogonally coupled to the lower surface of the base 20, as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the base 20 is constructed so that it overlies the body 40 of the stringed instrument, and can be pivoted into and out of contact therewith. Engaging through holes 21,21 are provided at both sides of the front end edge opposing to the head side of the stringed instrument, whereby the base 20 can be pivoted to approach and retreat from the body by operating an arm 23, with a support bolt 22 serving as the pivot, the bolt 22 being engaged with the engaging hole 21 as shown in Fig. 2. A plurality of pedestals 10 provided on the base 20 are threadedly engaged with long screws 11 thread-fitted to tail pieces 24 of the base 20 so as to be movable in a direction of extension of string 50, respectively, and are provided with adjust screws 12 so as to be individually adjustable in height. This construction of the pedestals 10 is the same as that of the prior art pedestal. The block 30 includes a plurality of string inserting holes 31 provided corresponding to the pedestals 10, and is provided with a reset spring 32 which serves to retract the block 30 at all times to hold the base 20 on the body 40. The string inserting holes 31 are respectively provided with string engaging regions 311 for engaging the string receiving members 51 provided at the ends of strings 50. The base 20 is provided with through holes 25 which respectively communicate with the string inserting holes 31, and string extension passages are formed by the through holes 25 and the string inserting holes 31. In addition, the pedestals 10 are respectively provided with string receiving members 13 for receiving the strings 50 led out from the string inserting holes 31 through to the through holes 25, and string receiving surfaces 131 are formed on the string receiving members 13. The strings 50 are wound around pegs, not shown, at the head side of the stringed instrument and the string receiving surfaces 131, and are tensioned between the string engaging regions 311 of the string inserting holes 31 and the pegs. The hole walls near the string engaging regions 311 of the string inserting holes 31 and the through holes 25 near the string aligning surfaces 131 respectively form continuous slope surfaces 251 and 312 and therefore the strings 50 extend obliquely without contacting the hole walls in the space between the string engaging regions 311 and the string receiving surfaces 131. Though the string receiving members 13 can be formed to be trapezoidal on the pedestals 10, it is preferable to form the string receiving members 13 as rotatable rollers. The frictional resisting force produced on the string receiving members 131 by sliding of the strings 50 can be reduced and the abrasion of the strings 50 can be reduced. As described above, when the string receiving members 13 are formed as rollers, it is preferable to form a groove at the center of the external surface of each roller and use this groove as the string receiving surface 131. In the tremolo device, it suffices to form each string extension passage respectively formed by the string inserting hole 31 and the through hole 25 as a space which permits straight extension of each string and therefore the wall of the string inserting hole 31 can be partly cut away to provide a window as shown with a broken line in Fig. 2. Since the tremolo device is adapted as described above, the string 50 extends obliquely and is free in the air between the string receiving surface 131 and the string engaging part 311, and does not contact the edge 252 of the through hole 25 even when the pedestal 10 is retracted as shown with the solid line in Fig. 2 or advanced as shown with a broken line in Fig. 2 and therefore the string 50 can always be kept straight and tensioned. In the tremolo device described above the strings 50 extend in the air straight between the string engaging regions 311 of the string inserting holes 31 and the string receiving surfaces 131 of the string receiving members 13, and therefore those disadvantages of the prior art tremolo devices such as breakage of strings caused by forced depression of the strings 50 to the hole edges, failure of the base to return to its home position and hindrance to the effect of sustaining tone can be alleviated.

Claims: A tremolo device comprising a movable base (20) provided with a string guide member (13) for receiving a string, and an anchorage for anchoring the string, in which the string extends in a straight line between the string guide member and the anchorage, the anchorage being provided in a member (30) attached to the base (20), characterised in that the string (50) extends from the string guide member (13) through openings (25,31) in the base (20) and the member (30) to the anchorage. A tremolo device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the string (50) extends obliquely between the string guide member (13) and the anchorage, and at least one wall (251,312) of the openings (25,31) in the base (20) and the member (30) extends obliquely and substantially parallel to the string (50). A tremolo device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, provided with a plurality of string guide members (13) and a plurality of anchorages corresponding to the number of strings (50). A tremolo device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each string guide member is formed as a grooved roller, the groove forming a string receiving surface. A tremolo device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a required number of pedestals (10) are arranged on said base (20) respectively provided with said string guide members (13), wherein a block (30) is provided as said member attached to the base (20), said block being coupled at right angles to said base (20), and wherein said openings in said member attached to the base (20) are string inserting holes for inserting and engaging the ends of strings. A stringed instrument having a tremolo device as claimed in any preceding claim.

Inventors: GOTO TAKAO, GOTO, TAKAO
Applicants: GOTOH GUT YUGEN KAISHA
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G10D3
IPC codes: G10D3